Some ratepayers could see bills impacted by 10 percent or more

Receive the latest local updates in your inbox

Beginning Sept. 1, San Diego Gas & Electric costs have been impacted for roughly 25 percent of residential energy users. The change is because of the General Rate Case, which was approved by California Public Utility Commission last month.

An increase of more than 10 percent could be seen by customers around San Diego County, according to a cost breakdown.

"If your bill has been about 75 dollars or higher, you're probably in tiers three or four," said Erin Coller with SDG&E.

The third and fourth tier consist of people with bigger homes who generally use more power in their homes. Customers who also have pools and air conditioning units could also be considered heavier energy users.

"The more energy you use, the more you pay as we all know, and with the way the rate structure is set up, you'll pay even more and your bill will increase even more if you're a high energy user," said Coller.

Santee resident Cristi Barrett said with temperatures creeping toward 100 degrees in her city, her home is hard to cool down with AC.

"It's like living in hell. Sweating all the time, I take a shower, I start getting ready, I'm sweating again, so we're turning the air on more now," Barrett said.

Owner of Santee Grab & Go store Araceli Fuller said using more AC in his business can definitely be costly.

"AC of course in Santee, in certain areas you have to have AC, we have other locations where we don't have AC and still, the prices are horrendous," he said.

And there is a good chance people will be paying more as the summer heat wave continues.